College, for many, is the first time that they may spend the holiday season away from their family. However, this not mean that the feeling of the season should simply disseapper! This is the perfect time of year to create new, exciting traditions tailored to your interests. For students who may not be able to travel home, ( like international students, or working students who can’t miss work, etc.), it’s the perfect time to start the holiday tradition you may have always wanted as a kid, but never had! Like a pink tree or eating pizza for holiday dinner.
For me, it was to create a safe space for my friends and I during the holiday season. Having lots of family around can be joyful, but being under the scrunity of prying family members can also be stressful. This is especially true for young queers. My solution was to create a safe haven, if only for a few hours. This was the original idea behind the annual “Queer- Friendly, Ugly Christmas Sweater Potluck.” A place for us all to congregate to eat, drink and be merry, with no uncomfortable table talk about relationships or other topics many students don’t want to discuss during the holiday season (grades, plans after graduation, etc.). This year will be our fourth potluck and every year it grows. It’s become a tradition that I’m asked about every year, and grows annually. It’s amazing to see that this event has picked up a life of its own and is apart of my holiday traditions.
Remember, family comes in many forms. For some, immediate family is really important, and others find family within their friend group. The holidays are what you make them.
All things Color, Love & Fashion,
Ayanna L.